Tips & Tutorials for After Effects,Motion Design & Video Editing

These motion graphic trends are on the rise in 2016. Which one will make it into your next project?

Motiongraphics evolve in clearly defined patterns that can be seen across the industry. Let’s take a look at a few of the most important motiongraphictrendsof2016. If there are any other motiontrends you’d like to share, please let us hear about them in the comments below.

1. Seamless Transitions

One of the most interesting trends to hit film and motion graphics is the seamlesstransition. While this technique is by no means new, over the last few years it has been increasing in popularity. In a nutshell, a seamlesstransition eliminates cuts between two scenes.

Instead of a physical edit, motiongraphicdesigners are creating custom transitions for their project that fit the overall look and feel of their final video. A lot of people don’t like seamlesstransitions because they can complicate the animation process, but there’s no denying the artistic beauty of a project that flows well.

This video created by Pause Fest is a perfect example of this new industry trend. Notice how even the parts that feel like a cut feature overlapping elements between scenes.

This promotional video created for the SAG Awards is another great example of seamlessanimation. If you’re an experienced motiondesigner, then you can easily see where the animator covered his cuts — nonetheless, it still feels like a seamlessanimation.

2. Animated Documentaries

Over the last few years, it felt like animateddocumentaries were only going to find a place in 2D explainer films and the dreaded whiteboard video. Recently, however, there’s been a resurgence of animatedspoken–wordfilms. Some of the most popular of these videos come from TED talks, but more designers are starting to embrace this powerful new medium.

An animateddocumentary takes skill and time — but when done well, an animatedfilm can tell a story that would otherwise remain untold. This interesting animated documentary/poem from Eunsung Do is a great example of this emerging art form.

3. New Is Outshining Familiar

They say familiaritybreedscontempt, and in an age of cookie-cutter television and uninspired explainer videos, this statement certainly holds true. Audiences hunger for originality and inspiration, and motiondesigners are taking notice. In 2016, we’ll see more and more experimental videos become popular.

This great video from Pocull is completely void of coherentnarrative, yet the design and secondary animation tells us that a deeper story can be found.

This video created by Mr. Kaplin is a wonderful example of experimental3Dart that tells a story.

As we’ve talked about in this article already, explainervideos are on the tip of every marketer’s tongue, yet audiences are craving for more. This incredible video from Chromosphere is a beautiful blend of art and design that showcases organic beauty with 2D and 3D shapes. The center-staged video might not have worked in the past, but as audiences are growing to appreciate new art forms, the narrative is not lost.

4. Print Layouts Are Moving to Screen

While it would be completely wrong to treat 2D print design the same as motiondesign, there’s increasing demand for typography that looks like print design. Motiondesigners are under pressure to produce beautiful works of art in every frame, not just the key frames. As such, many print layouts are finding a second life on screen. In 2016, we will see more newspaper and hand-drawn illustrations grown in popularity.

This video created for Call of Duty features wonderful typographic layouts that are more reminiscent of typography posters than classic video titles.

5. GIFs are Everywhere!

This last trend should really get motiondesigners excited. Facebook and Twitter now allow GIFs to be uploaded to their services. Practically speaking, this means more and more brands are going to want eye-catching animated advertisements instead of still ads. As a designer, this means you’ll have more opportunities to get your work seen by more people. It also extends the creative possibilities of the motiondesign medium beyond video.